Veriphi set to transform intravenous medication by introducing an unprecedented level of patient safety

Auckland, March 25, 2018 – Veriphi, the Auckland-based medical device start-up, has launched a second public capital offer through Snowball Effect to raise up to NZ$ 2 million to commercialise its ground-breaking solution for intravenous medication error. The capital raise has already secured over $550,000 in investment from over 100 people and closes on 5 April 2018.

Veriphi has developed a laser-based analyser that minimises the risk of death and injury due to intravenous medication error in hospitals. The proprietary technology automatically verifies the drug identity and concentration as it is compounded or administered, providing greater safety by fitting seamlessly into existing clinical practice.

The system works by placing Veriphi’s consumable, containing the drug, in the beam path of the analyser. The laser beam passes through the drug in the consumable, to a detector which compares the drug’s optical signature to those from a known library. The analyser then alerts the clinician if the drug or its concentration is not what was intended.

“To investors, Veriphi represents an exciting commercial opportunity that uses revolutionary technology to address a major, medical issue. The opportunity to help save thousands of lives through the process is particularly rewarding,” said Greg Shanahan, managing director and co-founder of Veriphi.

Medication errors are among the most common medical errors, harming millions of people globally every year. In New Zealand, medication errors cost an estimated NZ $158 million per annum1. A recent 2017 New Zealand study found that 28% of hospital patients studied experienced one or more medication harms2.

In US Hospitals, medication error injures approximately 400,0003 people and causes an estimated 7,0003 deaths at a cost of US$3.5B-$5.6B per annum3. Intravenous errors are twice as likely to harm patients than from drugs administered via other routes.4

Veriphi had its first successful Snowball Effect capital raise in 2016, and since that time has expanded its team of in-house engineers and technicians, refined the technology for commercial manufacture and commenced hospital trials. It is now on the cusp of its first commercial sales.

“We have had around 60% of the capital raised filled by our existing investors and so far, have had over 450 potential new investors express interest through the Snowball Effect platform. The interest we’re seeing from new investors is particularly exciting,” Mr Shanahan said.

“It’s a perfect opportunity for investors to capitalise on the momentum Veriphi has experienced over the past year”, said Roger Lampen, chairman, Veriphi. “The market is ripe for both local and international opportunities and there is huge potential for investors who opt to become part of what’s set to be an incredibly successful and incredibly valuable business.”

Veriphi was recently part of a Kiwi med-tech delegation to the Texas Medical Center in Houston, the largest medical centre in the world. The inaugural delegation, led by Callaghan Innovation, CMDT and MedTech CoRE, was made up of a cross-section of New Zealand med-tech companies and researchers with symbiotic interests.

Commenting on their recent US market visit, Mr Shanahan, said, “Healthcare is New Zealand’s largest technology export market sector currently, and much of that growth is coming from the US market. So, it was great to be in the US talking to potential customers about our solution.”

Interested parties can view an information memorandum and background information about the company, product, and investment process on the Snowball Effect website.

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Notes to Editors

Sourcing of Statistics
1.NZ Health Quality and Safety Commission (Various NZ studies 2002-2009)
2. Gillian Robb et al NZMJ 11 August 2017\
3. Institute of Medicine 2000, 2006.AHQR Report 2002.2008
4. American Journal of Health System Pharmacy 2008
About Veriphi
Veriphi has developed a ground-breaking laser-based analyser that minimises the risk of death and injury due to intravenous medication error in hospitals. The Veriphi system works by using lasers to automatically verify the drug identity and concentration.